The city of Byzantium
(Constantinople, modern Istanbul) was dedicated to Diana, goddess
of the hunt, and the crescent was the symbol of Diana. In 330 CE,
Constantine rededicated the city to the virgin Mary, whose star
symbol was added to the previous crescent. When the Turks took possession
of Constantinople, they found lots of crescent flags and adopted
it as a symbol of good omen.

"The star and crescent"
was first hoisted on behalf of the Muslims by Mahomet II after the
capture of Constantinople in 1453 CE. Prior to that, it was common
on the arm of knight and esquires. A star within a crescent was
a badge of Richard I, 250 years before Constantinople fell. They
quit using it when it became the banner of Muslims. It has been
used more and more ever since by Muslims in a way to identify themselves.

INTRODUCTION

I remember that as a
former Jehovah's Witness, one of the things that we were taught
to always stay away from was the use of religious symbols. It was
thought that this would lead to some form of idol worship that could
eventually compromise our worship of the one true God. We were not
permitted to wear religious icons like the cross because, in the
first place, we never believed that Jesus Christ was hung on the
cross. Secondly, Jehovah's Witnesses do not believe in idols and
they feel that the use of these in religious worship is idolatry.

Neither could we wear
anything that might be perceived as showing allegiance to a particular
government, nation or political group. We could not keep a flag
of any nation in our homes. We were not permitted to wear a patch
of the American flag on our clothing or any of our possessions.
We did not vote, sing the national anthem or recite the pledge of
allegiance.

They warned that the
Bible clearly states that "you shall have no other gods before
me." It also states, "you shall not make for yourself
any carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven
above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water
under the earth."

You can imagine my concern,
when, as I was embracing Islam, I became aware of the use of "the
star and crescent." My concern was genuine; I did not want
to offend God. I did not want to interpret that I gave allegiance
to anyone except Allah. I remember asking some brothers about what
"the star and crescent" symbol meant. "Oh, it's nothing
to be concerned about," they said. "It just represents
the Muslim." One brother, I remember, drew me a clearer picture.
"Well," he said, "you know how the Christians use
the cross and the Jews, the star of David? We use "the star
and crescent" to identify ourselves world-wide as Muslims."

Although I didn't make
it a big issue, I decided to do some research and find out for myself.
I was not going to stumble over this issue, but at the same time,
I didn't want to do anything that would offend God. The following
is some information that I found in my research and I wanted to
pass it on to you. Afterwards, I'd like to share with you an interesting
view on this matter from a personal perspective and why I think
it's important to consider how we view the use of the star and crescent.

HISTORY

During the Byzantine
Empire, the city of Byzantium (a.k.a. Constantinople and Istanbul)
was dedicated to Diana, goddess of the hunt. The crescent was the
symbol of Diana. In 330 CE, Constantine rededicated the city to
the virgin Mary, whose star symbol was added to the previous crescent.
When the Turks took possession of Byzantium, they found lots of
crescent flags and adopted it as a symbol of good omen. In 339 BC,
Philip of Macedon (the father of Alexander the Great) was thwarted
from overtaking the city of Byzantium because his army was spotted
due to a bright crescent moon.

"The star and crescent"
was first hoisted on behalf of the Muslims by Mahomet II after the
capture of Constantinople in 1453 CE. Prior to that, it was common
on the arm of knight and esquires. A star within a crescent was
a badge of Richard I, 250 years before Constantinople fell. They
quit using it when it became the banner of Muslims. It has been
used more and more ever since by Muslims in a way to identify themselves.
Sultan Othman, founder of the Ottoman empire, had a dream of crescent
moon growing bigger and bigger until it reached East to West.

Banners or flags are
what people customarily unite around or behind. It may or may not
represent some characteristic about them. The twelve tribes of Israel,
for example, each had it's own banner or symbol, e.g. 'The Lion
of Judah,' etc. An insignia could represent one's cause, philosophy,
belief or attitude; whether religious or secular. The colour and
the symbol's use on national flags is also most interesting. Red
is the Ottomon (Turkish) colour and thus, a star and crescent on
a field of red. In Mauritania, green stands for prosperity and hope.
The star represents the people. On the Pakistani flag, the crescent
is for progress and the star for enlightenment.

THE PROPHET'S FLAG

As to what the actual
Holy Prophet used, we find some very interesting information. It
has been reported that the Holy Prophet's first standard or flag
was a black flag to contradict the white flag of the Quraish, who
had a black eagle on it as well. The earliest such flag or banner
used by the Prophet was a sable curtain which hung in the chamber
of his wife, Ayesha (may Allah be pleased with her). In the centre,
the Prophet attached a white cloth which was a turban that he captured
from the city of Boreide. On it was written the inscription, Nasr
um min Allah, which meant "the help of Allah". Most appropriate.
One can see how powerful a symbol this was to be used as a banner
or flag. In modern times, some governments, like Saudi Arabia, prefer
not to use the star and crescent of the Turkish government, but
instead use a plain green field with the Shahadah on it in white.
There is also a white sword underneath. Several modern day Muslims
use the Shahadah in white on a green field as their way of showing
they are Muslim. It was reported that the Prophet's favourite colour
was green; which incidentally represents life.

FLAG OF SYMBOL AS AUTHORITY

But, why all this fuss
about a flag or a symbol anyway? In particular, the star and the
crescent? Why is it so important to search for a more profound meaning
to what it means and what it stands for? Is it really that big of
a deal? I mean, it's just a flag or a symbol, right?

Well, the truth of the
matter is that symbols and especially flags, have more than just
a casual, passing representation. They actually stand for something
and have a definite meaning. A stop sign, for example, isn't there
just to blend in with the landscaping. It represents the law, the
authority. It requires some action from you every time you come
to it and that action is to stop. It also means there is a reaction
from it if you choose not to stop there and that is that you will
be cited for failing to obey that sign or symbol.

THE AMERICAN FLAG

With that in mind, let's
look at the flag of the United States. This is not the time to go
through a two hundred year history of all the changes in the flag
and how it got to it's present form, however, since we live in this
country, I think it's appropriate to understand a little about it.

The first American flag
was one that had thirteen stars in a circle on a blue field with
a background of thirteen alternating red and white stripes. The
thirteen stars represented the thirteen original colonies that became
the United States of America. Why stars? Why not thirteen trees
or thirteen fish? Perhaps because a bright star is such a beautiful
thing to behold. Remember the last time there was a clear night
and you looked up at the sky to admire the bright starry sky? They
seem so near and yet they are so far away.

Muslims appreciate stars
very much because they realize that stars do fulfil many wonderful
purposes. They are both beautiful and a way to guide us in a time
when perhaps other navigational instruments fail us. But, as Muslims,
when we look at a star or any other work of beauty, we always appreciate
the Creator, Al-Khaliq, more than the creation.

As the United states
added more states they added a star for each new state. Thus, today
we have fifty states and also fifty stars on our flag. The stars
are laid on a blue field; blue being the colour of truth. The red
stripes stand for the blood that was spilled in establishing our
republic. The white stands for purity, cleanliness, holiness. Put
all together, one can see how easily it would be for one to perceive
that these fifty states, America, is to be admired because it was
conceived with the blood of righteousness; with the purest and holiest
of intentions and it stands for truth and goodness. You can trust
her. You can depend on her. She will guide you to success and prosperity.
See how she sparkles and shines? Follow her.

LOYALTY AND ALLEGIANCE

Some people might argue
that such reasoning is absurd. That respecting the flag does not
mean giving loyalty to it as you would the country or government.
That it does not mean that we show the same allegiance to it that
we show our country and that it certainly does not take the place
of God for guidance in our lives. Reality, however, does indicate
that people look at the flag and the symbols on it with more than
just respect and that they do view what it symbolizes in the same
manner that we've described above. Let's look at an example.

Growing up in America,
I remember the first thing we did every day in school before class
started was recite the Pledge of Allegiance. But allegiance to who?
To our God and Creator, Allah? Well, let's see. The Pledge of Allegiance
says, "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States
of America and to the republic for which it stands". To demonstrate
our loyalty, love, affection and allegiance to the flag and the
republic or country "for which it stands", we would place
our right hand over our heart. Contrary to what some people may
believe, the oath of allegiance is to the country or government
because the flag stands for or represents exactly that and you have
just pledged your allegiance to both, the flag and the republic
or country; they are one and the same. I've always admired some
brothers who would tell me that when they received their United
States citizenship and had to pledge allegiance to the flag, they
would be pledging allegiance to Allah, instead.

Some persist in their
view, however, stating that, recently the United States Supreme
court upheld the decision that, burning the American flag is permissible
because it is a right of expression. The burning of the country,
on the other hand, would not be construed as a freedom of expression,
they argue, but as an act to overthrow the government of the United
States. Therefore, they cannot be one and the same according to
them. The pledge of allegiance to the flag, in their opinion, is
not the same as a pledge of allegiance to the country. Sounds good,
but when you take into consideration the people of this country
as a whole, I think you will find that the overwhelming majority
feel that burning the flag is wrong and offensive to them because
it represents a total disregard and disrespect to the country or
government "for which it stands."

Also, consider this.
If they don't mean the same thing, then, why is it that on the insignias
of uniforms, cars or property of local, state or federal peace officers;
or even of athletes, or anyone that represents our country, the
decal or insignia is of an American flag? If they don't mean the
same thing, then, why don't they have an insignia of the map of
the U.S. or just the words, United States of America. Another thing.
When someone, like a military veteran or government official dies,
they drape the American flag over his coffin. Do they say that the
individual died for his flag or gave his life for his flag? No.
They say he died for his country. The reason is because the flag,
symbol or insignia stands for or represents the government.

Those of us who have
had the misfortune of being under colonial rule at one time, remember
all too well the phrase "loyal to the Crown", meaning
the British, of course. How quickly we forget. The fact is that
to the great majority of people in this country, and around the
world, for that matter, the flag, symbol or insignia and the country
do stand for the same thing.

TWO EXAMPLES

Another thing to consider
when speaking of flags and the country or people that they represent
is: if a country or people separate or abolish the use of certain
symbols does it necessarily mean that they have changed their views
or stands on certain issues.

For example, hardly
anyone can argue the fact that the 'swastika' is a symbol for what
nazism stood for: a pure Aryan race and all that implies. That symbol
still represents that ideology even to this day. In all fairness
to the German people, they have taken the initiative to separate
themselves from such racism by changing the symbols of their flag
as well as rejecting the ideology of a supreme white race.

Some will argue that
the United States has done the same thing by insisting that the
southern states remove and make illegal the old Confederate flag
with the symbol of the 'stars and bars' because of what it once
represented, namely, slavery and the oppression of black people.
Some states, however, still persist in using the Confederate flag.
Some people of the South are even more vocal and adamant about the
continual use of the Confederate flag.

Taking the two examples
just given, we see that in Germany, although it no longer supports
the theory that a German white Aryan race is superior it still denies
equal rights and justice to many of its citizenry, e.g., the Turkish
population and others. The United States is really no better off.
She has not taken sufficient steps to educate its populace on the
issue of racism and tolerance and has consistently shied away from
providing continual legislation that would eradicate such racism
by making it absolutely illegal to act in such a manner. In fact
at the present time, we see the United States reversing herself
on what little legislation it once had that addressed such issues.
We see with both countries, especially the US a double-tongue policy
of "we're not better than you, you're just not as good as us."

In Spanish there is
a saying that says, "Tanto peca el que mata la waca, como el
que detiene la pata." This was a saying contrived in the old
cattle rustling days. It means, "Just as guilty is he who kills
the cow, as he who ties down it's hoofs." If the people of
a country are not willing to change the policies of its government
by publicly voicing its displeasure, even going to the extent of
changing it's elected officials or even its form of government,
if need be, then they agree with the way their country is being
represented and perceived; more importantly, the way they are represented
and perceived. They publicly reaffirm this perception every time
they wave 'Old Glory' around. That flag and the symbols on it represent
both the government as well as the people.

ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE

Now, as Muslims, why
should we be so concerned about all this? Well, for one thing we
should never want to look to any person, nation, government or anything
as a source of guidance or direction over Allah. To do so would
be shirk. No one is worthy of that honour except Allah, the Almighty.

So many people all over
the world put so much trust in the US for finding the solutions
to their problems. The US itself brags about how it is 'the greatest
nation on the face of the earth.' People in other parts of the world
think it is such a great honour to be allies or associated in some
way with the United States of America. There was a time when these
people, especially third world countries, thought that the streets
in the US were paved with gold. Anything that they can possess that
is American brings a sort of prestige. I remember, a few years ago,
having a visitor from Egypt. I asked if there was anything I could
get for him to take back to Egypt while he was here. He decided
on running shoes and a jogging suit but insisted that they be Nike's.
The reason, he said, is because he would be the envy of his entire
town. Anything with a designer label from the US was highly sought.

What is really sad when
we see so many brothers looking to the United States as the source
for relieving their afflictions. Especially where people are oppressed
or seeking justice and especially, when those people are sincere
Muslims. Nothing or no one take the place of Allah as our Protector;
no flag, no government, no nation, not even the believers themselves.

The Qur'an says:

"Do
the unbelievers think that they can take my servants as protectors
besides me? Verily we have prepared hell for the unbelievers for
their entertainment."

Quran Al-Kahf
18:102:

There are some enemies
of Allah that feel that although they practice evil deeds, perhaps
if they mingle with the true believers, they will protect them against
calamity. Allah assures them that their place is in the hell fire.
The Qur'an teaches us in Ash-Shura 42:9-l0 that:

"It is God alone
who has power over all things and that in Him we should trust."

So, coming back to our
original subject, what does all this have to do with the symbol
of the 'star and the crescent'? Well, for one thing, both symbols,
the star and the crescent, come from the false worship or adoration
for someone other than Allah. In the case of the crescent, it was
the goddess Diana and with the star it was Mary, the mother of Jesus
(peace be upon him). As much as we love and respect Mary, the mother
of Jesus, peace and blessings be on her, she is not worthy of worship
and she would be the first to tell you so. For that matter neither
is Musa (Moses) or 'Isa (Jesus) or even our beloved Prophet, Muhammad
(peace and blessings be upon them). Nor is the Qur'an worthy of
worship or the entire record of ahadith or the two Holy Mosques
or the Four Rightly Guided Caliphs (may Allah be pleased with them)
or anything in this universe, past, present or future. Only Allah
stands alone as worthy of worship. Yet some of us carry these symbols
around as an expression of identity with those very beings and are
proud to associate ourselves as Muslims by them.

Some may think that
this is making a mountain out of a molehill and that it's silly
to think that the use of these symbols could jeopardize our relationship
with Allah; but I think it deserves a lot of prayer and deep meditation
and thinking about this. Do we really want to take a chance of offending
Allah and facing Him on the Day of Judgement with this on our record?
Is associating ourselves with these symbols or icons really worth
it? We must strive to 'always be true to Allah,' says the Qur'an,
Al-Hajj 22: 31 'and never assigning partners to Him'.

Let us use our ability
to reason and ask ourselves, is it really necessary to have an insignia
or symbol to make the statement that we are Muslims? If one can
so easily identify oneself as a Muslim by simply carrying the symbol
of 'the star and crescent' around, then what's to say that the enemies
of Islam can't do the same, as some of them have? I remember, my
first Ramadan, one brother proudly revealed his chest to show 'the
star and crescent' tattooed above the area of the heart. Wouldn't
it be better and certainly more reliable, to identify ourselves
as Muslims by our Islamic personality; demonstrating by our righteous
deeds that we are of 'those that bow to Allah in Islam' (Qur'an,
Al-Baqarah 2:136)?

There are many nations
and religious organisations today that identity themselves as being
Muslims by the use of these two symbols, 'the star and crescent'
and yet we can see by their deeds that they are totally un-Islamic.
How easily they live among us, corrupting the word of God and causing
divisions among us and all they have to do to prove they are Muslims
is flash the sign of the star and the crescent.

On the other hand, there
are organisations like the Red Crescent that do so much good work
for their fellow mankind. Also there is a big difference between
the symbol of the 'star and crescent' and the hilal.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, let me
state that all acts are acts of worship. We all try to do the best
that we can according to the extent of our knowledge and our level
of Iman. Everyone has a conscience. How sensitive our conscience
is toward what we have discussed depends on what we previously stated,
the extent of our knowledge and the level of our Iman.

It is not the responsibility
of Muslims to point the finger at each other and try to force anyone
to his personal understanding of matters. Religion and especially
the interpretation of matters pertaining to religion should never
be forced on anyone. We all know that the Qur'an states:

"...there
is no compulsion in religion..."

(Qur'an, Al-Baqarah
1:190)

We know that there is
nothing wrong with respecting the flag of any country. The degree
to which one cares to show such respect is an individual matter
of conscience. No one has the right to impose his conscience on
another. But, it is important to know how some people feel about
a flag, symbol or insignia. As to the use of the 'star and crescent'
symbols, we know that Allah will judge all of us according to our
niyah, our intentions, and how we choose to interpret all matters
pertaining to Tawheed.

Proper attention should
be given, however, to the use of a symbol or icon that at one time
represented the worship of a goddess or to one that symbolises our
'godly' adoration for a righteous person whom some may place on
the same plane of reverence reserved only for Allah. May Allah guide
us as we search to perfect our worship of Him as He has perfected
our religion. In the end we all return to Him and He will teach
us what was best; for He is the best to decide as mentioned in the
Qur'an, Yunus 10:108-109.

Incidentally, the 'Golden
Age of Islam' that we all reminisce so passionately about came to
a close about the mid-l5th century with the fall of Spain and the
invasion of the Mongols. This was about the same time that 'the
star and crescent' started to be hoisted up as the banner or representation
of Muslims. We've never been able to regain that greatness again.
Coincidence?